Photocopy separating means



United States Patent [72] inventor Paul Pekera Binghamton, New York [21] Appl. No. 650,455 [22] Filed June 30, 1967 [4S] Patented Nov. 17, 1970 [7 3] Assignee GAF Corporation New York, New York a corporation of Delaware [54] PHOTOCOPY SEPARATING MEANS 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner- Norton, Ansher Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorneys-George L. Tone, Walter Hensel and Edward H.

Loveman ABSTRACT: A unique snubbing roller assembly coacts with a sealing sleeve drive roller, whereby sensitized copy paper conveyed along the sealing sleeve is in a positive manner disengaged from the surface thereof. To this effect, the sealing sleeve is constructed of an endless belt which is entrained about a plurality of idler rollers and a sealing sleeve drive roller, and is driven by the latter. The drive roller, which is an elongated shaft member extending across the width of the developer apparatus, has reduced diameter portions along its length, the sealing sleeve belt being entrained about the larger diameter portions of the shaft. The snubbing roller, which is biased toward the drive roller, consists of a shaft extending parallel to the latter and has mounted thereon a series of spaced rollers or discs adapted to rotatably engage the sealing sleeve belt at the smaller diameter portions of the drive roller. This, in effect, places the discs of the snubbing roller into in terference with the surface of the developed copy paper as the paper is conveyed by the sealing sleeve, such that the copy paper is subjected to a corrugating action in its direction of travel. This corrugating action causes the copy paper to separate from the sealing sleeve by reducing or eliminating the tendency of the copy paper to adhere to the sealing belt surface thereby facilitating conveyance of the copy paper into a sheet material receiving tray. A unique and significant deflector and guide member selectively directs and guides developed copy paper conveyed by the sealing sleeve and snubbing roller, into a selected one of a pair of copy paper receiving trays. The deflector consists of a substantially V- shaped wedge member having its apex extending into the bight between the sealing sleeve drive roller and snubbing roller so as to form two diverging passageways for the copy paper conveyed thereto. Manual manipulation permits selective movement thereof, and thus guides the copy paper into the appropriate passageway for conveyance toward the selected sheet material receiving tray,

Patented Nov. 17 19 70 3,540,368

Sheet 1 of 3 IN VEN TOR. Poul Pekero Em BY ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet 3 a of 5' INVENTOR.

Paul Pekeru ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17 1970 Sheet A II A n INVENTOR.

Poul Pekero mum v ATTORNEY developing apparatus and, in particular, in the provision of a novel separator assembly-and feeding guide for conveying the copy paper from the developing apparatus into one of two material receiving trays.

Generally, in reproduction machines of the type adapted to provide diazo reproductions of an original, the superimposed original and diazo copy paper are conveyed through the printer or imaging portion of the machine and then separated. The original is conveyed from the machine into a suitable receptacle or tray, while the diazo copy paper is passed into the developer portion of the machine. Thereafter, the diazo copy paper, while being processed in the developer portion, is conveyed along the surface of a developer tank, by a moving sealing sleeve, which slides along the surface ofthe developer tank. After the diazo copy paper has been conveyed past the developer tank, the sealing sleeve in cooperation with suitable roller or belt means, directs the developed diazo copy paper toward and into a receptacle or receiving tray.

The aforementioned material conveying device, which includes the sealing sleeve and developer tank portions of the machine has proven to be generally satisfactory for many types of sensitized copy papers, and as a result, is in widespread commercial use throughout industry. However, it has been found that various types of sensitized copy paper, in particular those of the sepia" type, have a tendency to adhere to the surface of the sealing sleeve after being conveyed past the developer tank. This has frequently resulted in the developer paper being conveyed back into the machine along the return path of the sealing sleeve, rather than being directed into the material receiving tray. Consequently, jamups of the apparatus have been encountered, requiring costly and time consuming servicing and maintenance, not to men tion losses in the production ofcopies.

In accordance with the invention the copy paper separating device overcomes the foregoing and other disadvantages encountered in the prior art, by incorporating a unique snubbing roller assembly adapted to coact with the sealing sleeve drive roller, whereby the sensitized copy paper conveyed along the sealing sleeve is in a positive manner disengaged from the surface thereof. To this effect, the sealing sleeve is constructed of an endless belt which is entrained about a plurality of idler rollers and a sealing sleeve drive roller, and is driven by the latter. The drive roller, which is an elongated shaft member extending across the width of the developer apparatus, has reduced diameter portions along its length, the sealing sleeve belt being entrained about the larger diameter portions of the shaft. The

snubbing roller, which is biased toward the drive roller, consists ofa shaft extending parallel to the latter and has mounted thereon a series of spaced rollers or discs adapted to rotatably engage the scaling sleeve belt at the smaller diameter portions of the drive roller. This, in effect, will place the discs of the snubbing roller into interference with the surface of the developed copy paper as the paper is conveyed by the sealing sleeve, such that the copy paper is subjected to a corrugating action in its direction oftravel. This corrugating action causes the copy paper to separate from the sealing sleeve by reducing or eliminating the tendency of the copy paper to adhere to the sealing belt surface thereby facilitating conveyance of the copy paper into the material receiving tray of the machine.

Another novel aspect and feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a unique and significant deflector and guide member adapted to selectively direct and guide developed copy paper conveyed by the sealing sleeve and snubbing roller, into one or the other of a pair of copy paper receiving trays. At times, it may be desirable to convey developed copy paper into a receiving tray at the front of the machine, whereas at other times it may be necessary to conduct the copy paper toward a receiving tray at the rear of the machine. Accordingly, the present inventive deflector consists ofa substantially V-shaped wedge member having its apex extending into the bight between the sealing sleeve drive roller and snubbing roller so as to form two diverging passageways for thecopy paper conveyed thereto. Manual manipulation, which will pivot the deflector, permits selective movement thereof, and thus guides the copy paper into the appropriate passageway between the deflector and sealing sleeve or the deflector and snubbing roller, for conveyance toward either the rear or front material receiving trays.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved developer apparatus having a novel separator device for the positive conveyance of developed copy paper.

Another object of the present invention is to provide developer apparatus incorporating a sealing sleeve drive roller and coacting snubbing roller feed assembly which will effectively convey developed copy paper from the surface of the sealing sleeve toward a suitable receiving tray.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel deflector and guide member adapted to selectively guide developed copy paper conveyed from the sealing sleeve surface toward one or the other of a pair of spaced receiving trays.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide, in a developer apparatus for diazo-type copy paper, a sealing sleeve drive roller and cooperative snubbing roller assembly adapted to convey developed paper toward a deflector or guide member which may be adjusted to selectively direct the paper into one or the other of a pair of spaced receiving trays.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a partial elevational view of the developer portion of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an enlarged portion of FIG. 1A showing the improved separator device;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along Line 2-2 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along Line 3-3 of FIG. 18 showing the novel deflector; and

FIG. 4 is a view taken along Line 44 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1A, a developer portion of a printing and developing machine or apparatus generally designated as reference numeral 1. The apparatus includes a developer tank 2, suitably mounted within the frame of the apparatus. Sensitized copy paper to be developed is conveyed upwardly along a surface 3 of developer tank 2 in response to the translation of an endless belt or conveyor 4 known in the art as a sealing sleeve.

The upper end of the sealing sleeve 4 is entrained about a sealing sleeve drive roller generally designated as numeral 5, and the lower cnd of the sleeve entrained about a pair of idler rollers 40 and 41. The drive roller 5 is rotatably journaled in the side frame of the machine, and is adapted to be driven via a chain 42 (FIG. 2) by a motor (not shown) so as to continuously move the developed copy paper upwards toward the top 6 of the apparatus. When the developed copy paper passes the uppermost point of the sealing sleeve 4 it is then directed, by means to be described in greater detail below, to a receiving tray 7 inclined toward the front of the apparatus I, or to a receiving tray 8 inclined toward the rear of the apparatus.

Since there is a tendency for developed diazo-type copy paper, and particularly those of the "sepia" type, to adhere to the sealing sleeve 4, the present invention contemplates that the drive roller 5 consists of an elongated shaft having a plurality of enlarged diametrical portions 9, each separated by a recessed or smaller diametrical portion 10 as more particularly shown in FIG. 2. The sealing sleeve 4 comprises an endless belt member ll, formed of a material well known in the developing art, and entrained about each of the enlarged portions 9 of the drive roller 5. A snubbing roller generally designated as numeral 12 extends parallel to the drive roller 5, and is biased toward the latter into contacting relationship. Snubbing roller 12 consists of an elongated shaft 13 journaled at both ends in slides 14 attached to the sidewalls of machine 1. Resilient spring members 15 positioned in each of the slides 14 bias snubbing roller 12 toward drive roller 5. A plurality of roller discs 16 are mounted on shaft 13 so as to engage and bend the belt member 11 against the drive roller in the region of the recessed portions on the drive roller 5 whereby the snubbing roller 12 is thereby rotated. Consequently, as the developed diazo copy paper is conveyed between the sealing sleeve 4 and the snubbing roller 12 the action of roller discs 16 on recessed portions 10 will effect a corrugation of the copy paper passing therebetween, in the direction of its feed movement. This corrugating effect will tend to disengage and separate the copy paper from the sealing sleeve 4 thereby permitting it to be conveyed into either receiving tray 7 or 8.

Since the sensitized surface of the paper faces the developer tank 2, and subsequently also snubbing roller 12, the latter has its surface or at least roller discs 16 coated with a nonmarking, antifriction material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon). This will effectively prevent any deleterious markings on the surface of the developed diazo copy paper as it passes between drive roller 5 and snubbing roller 12.

In order to facilitate the selective or alternate conveyance of the developed diazo copy paper into either tray 7 or tray 8, a deflector or guide member generally designated as numeral 17 is positioned adjacent to the discharge side ofsealing sleeve 4 and snubbing roller 12. Deflector 17 as shown most clearly in FIG. 3 may comprise an elongated member. formed of a suitable metallic composition, pivotally journaled at each end thereof in the sidewalls of machine 1 about a shaft or rod 18. The cross section of at least a portion of deflector 17 may he ofsuhstantially V-shapcd configuration, having its apex 19 extending into the bight of drive roller 5 and snubbing roller 12 (FIG. 1B). The sidewall portions 20 and 21 of the V-shaped portion of deflector 17 may be curved complementary to the radii of curvature of raised portions 9 of drive roller 5 and of roller discs 16 on the snubbing roller 12. This will assure the formation of relatively smooth conveying passages for the paper being directed toward either tray 7 or 8.

A suitable manually operable control rod 22, as most clearly shown in FIG. 3, may be fastened to one end ofdeflector 17 so as to afford manipulation of apex point 19 whereby the copy paper may engage either sidewall portion 20 or 21. Thus, when control rod 22 is manipulated to pivot apex point 19 and deflector l7 rearwardly toward the sealing sleeve 4, the copy paper will contact sidewall 21, and will be directed forward toward front receiving tray 7. Conversely, when apex point 19 is pivoted forward toward the snubbing roller 12, the copy paper will contact sidewall 20 and will be directed toward rear receiving tray 8.

The amount of pivotal movement of deflector 17 about shaft or rod 18 may be adjusted by positioning rotatably adjustable washers or cam discs 24 (FIG. 1B) which are retained in the adjusted position by set screws 23 so as to adjustably limit the pivotal oscillation of the deflector 17. Undue movement of thc deflector 17 during machine operation may be avoided by a spring washer 25 located at each end thereof, so as to impart a compressive axial force on the deflector 17.

Since the developed diazo copy paper being conveyed past deflector 17 may be moist or subject to an undue amount of condensate resulting from the printing or developing process, a heating wire 26 may be incorporated in the interior of deflector 17 over the entire length thereof. The wire, which is coupled to a suitable source of power, heats sidewall portions 20 and 21 to permit any moisture in the copy paper to be evaporated.

As the developed copy paper is directed forwardly toward receiving tray 7, during periods when the apex point 19 of deflector 17 is in the rearward position near sealing sleeve 4, it is conveyed between snubbing roller 12 and a dancer roller 27. The dancer roller 27 comprises an elongated rotatable shaft 28 journaled in the sidewalls of machine 1, and extending parallel to the snubbing roller 12. A journal 45 located at each end of shaft 28 frictionally engages a similar journal section 46 on snubbing roller 12 whereby rotation of snubbing roller 12 will cause dancer roller 27 to rotate. A plurality of spaced discs 29 are mounted on shaft 28 so as to be somewhat axially offset relative to roller discs 16 while being in slight radial overlap therewith. This, in effect, will also cause a corrugation of the copy paper passing therebetween in the direction of movement thereof, and consequently eliminate adherence of the paper to the snubbing roller 12. Since the dancer roller 27 engages the back of the copy paper, the discs 29 may be formed ofa suitable rubber material.

During periods when the copy paper is directed rearwardly toward tray 8, by virtue of apex point 19 being positioned forwardly adjacent to the snubbing roller 12, it may be engaged by a second snubbing roller 31 which is biased toward the drive roller 5. Essentially, snubbing roller 31 is quite similar in construction to snubbing roller 12 in that it comprises an elongated shaft 32 having a plurality of spaced roller discs 33 mounted thereon. The roller discs 33 are adapted to engage the sealing sleeve 4 in the region of the smaller diameter por tions 10 of drive roller 5 whereby snubbing roller 31 is thereby rotated and will impart corrugations to the paper passing therebetween. Roller discs 33 are offset axially relative to roller discs 16 on snubbing shaft 12 in order to distribute the wear load on the sealing sleeve 4. Since the discs 33 will be contacted by the coated or front surface of the developed copy paper, the discs 33 are coated with an antifriction, nonmarking layer, such as polytetral'luoroethylene (Teflon).

Snubbing roller 31 is biased toward developer drive roller 5 by means ofa slide and spring assembly 34 which is practically identical to that employed for biasing snubbing roller 12.

In order to avoid undue distortion of the developed copy paper while being corrugated between the sealing sleeve 4 and snubbing roller 12 or snubbing roller 31. the radial difference between diameter portions 9 and 10 on the developer drive roller 5 may be held to a relatively small value, such as .062 inches.

It should also be understood that the foregoing relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

l claim:

1. Apparatus for separating a sheet material from an endless conveyor comprising:

a drive roller means having a shaft with a plurality of raised and recessed portions; idler roller means; said endless conveyor entrained about said raised surface portions ofsaid drive roller and said idler roller means;

drive means coupled to said drive roller and adapted to rotate said drive roller whereby said endless conveyor is translated; and

a snubbing shaft extending parallel to said drive roller shaft and having a roller means mounted thereon which is adapted to contact said endless conveyor in the region of said recessed portions of said drive roller whereby said material transported on said endless conveyor means is engaged by said roller means on said snubbing shaft to cause a corrugating effect on said material thereby cuus ing said material to separate from said conveyor.

2. In an apparatus for developing a sensitized material comprising:

a developer tank;

conveyor means adapted to move said sensitized material to be developed along a surface of said developer tank;

at least a pair of material receiving trays;

adjustable guide means adapted to engage and selectively guide said sensitized material toward one or the other of said material receiving trays;

means rotatably cooperative with said conveyor means and adapted to contact said sensitized material whereby said sensitized-material is conveyed toward said adjustable guide means; and said conveyor means comprising:

an elongated drive roller having a plurality of alternate raised and recessed surface portions, and an endless conveyor belt entrained about said raised surface portionsfand said cooperative means comprises a first elongated snubbing roller extending parallel to said drive roller and biased thereto, said snubbing roller including a shaft having a plurality of spaced roller means mounted thereon adapted to contact said conveyor belt in the region ofthe recessed surface portions of said drive roller so as to impart corrugations to the sensitized material passing therebetween in the direction of movement thereof.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein at least the roller means on said snubbing roller are coated with an antifriction material.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a dancer roller in rotatable engagement with said snubhing roller, said dancer roller comprising an elongated shaft extending parallel to said snubbing roller, and a plurality of spaced roller discs mounted on said shaft and adapted so as to convey sensitized sheet material passing therebetween to a first one of said material-receiving trays.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said cooperative means further comprises:

a second elongated snubbing roller rotatably cooperative with said drive roller, and which is adapted to convey sensitized sheet material to a selected one of said material receiving'trays in response to a predetermined location of said guide means; and

said second snubbing roller extending parallel to said drive comprising:

a developer tank;

conveyor means adapted to move said sensitized sheet material to be developed upwardly along a surface ofsaid developer'tank;

at least a pair of sheet material receiving trays having their upper edge located above and at outer opposite sides of said tank, and are positioned on opposite sides of said conveyor means;

adjustable sheet guide means adapted to engage and selectivcly guide said sensitized sheet material toward a selected one or the other of said sheet material receiving trays;

said adjustable guide means comprising a pivotable'defleetor having a heating means adapted to raise the temperature of said deflector so as to facilitate evaporation of condensate in said sensitized sheet material and capable of directing said sensitized sheet material conveyed from between saidconveyor means and said cooperative means toward one or the other of said sheet material receiving trays; and

means rotatably cooperative with said conveyor means and adapted to contact said sensitized sheet material-above said conveyor means, whereby said sensitized material is conveyed toward said adjustable guide means regardless of the selected sheet receiving tray adjustment thereof. 

